he prisoners earn minimum wage assembling medical supplies at San Quentin State Prison. A law passed by voters in 1990 requires that 20 percent of their salaries be given to victims of crime. Once the inmate pays restitution, the excess goes to community organizations.
"It has to be used for direct services to crime victims, things such as emergency shelter, food, transportation," explained Chris Jacobs with the Prison Industry Authority.
"This is about reformation and restoration. It brings back remembrance of what we used to be and who we are now," said inmate Garrett Martin.
$38,000 was collected this year. A total of seven organizations got a check for $4,500 each.
